With the 1969 World Series tied at one game apiece, Gentry faced Jim Palmer in game three. Tommie Agee led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run to give the Mets the early 1-0 lead (Agee also made two spectacular catches in center field to prevent the Orioles from scoring up to five runs in this game). Gentry, meanwhile, held the mighty Orioles scoreless, pitching into the seventh inning before handing the ball to Nolan Ryan for the save. He also helped his own cause in the second inning with a double that plated two runs.[7]

Gentry got off to a hot start in 1970.[8] Following a one-hit shutout of the Chicago Cubs on May 13,[9] his record stood at 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA. He would cool off from there, and ended the season at 9-9 with a 3.68 ERA.

Following a 1971 season in which Gentry went 12-11 with a 3.23 ERA, the California Angels inquired about Gentry, dangling third basemanJim Fregosi as bait. Unwilling to part with Gentry, the Mets sent Nolan Ryan to the Angels in one of the most infamous trades in franchise history.[10]

Gentry exited his June 5 start in the first inning due to right elbow soreness.[12] He made his next start, but was pulled after the second inning,[13] and placed on the disabled list.[14] He returned a month later, but after just two more appearances, his season was ended for good.

After surgery to have bone chips removed from his elbow, Gentry returned to the mound on April 30, 1974, pitching an inning of relief.[15] He made two more appearances before his season was once again cut short, this time for tendon surgery. He made seven appearances in 1975 before the Braves decided to end their relationship with Gentry. He played his last game for the Braves on May 6, and was waived two days later.[16]

Shortly afterwards, Gentry was re-signed by the Mets, but after just one appearance at double A Jackson was released on June 19.[17]